Around $5
A cheap, filling meal
- $5 Meal Deal$5.00
A sandwich, 4 McNuggets, small fries and a drink for $5, the best value on the menu.
- Hamburger$2.39
- Cheeseburger$2.49
Total$4.88
$4.88 for 550 calories if you only want burgers.
Aly's ordering guide
McDonald's menu: what to order
What to order at McDonald's for the most food per dollar, the best value meal, a cheap family dinner and lighter picks.
McDonald's prices have climbed, but the menu still has real bargains if you know where to look. The $5 Meal Deal and the plain Cheeseburger give you far more food per dollar than a Quarter Pounder, and Extra Value Meals save around $2 compared with buying the same items separately.
Below are picks by budget, the items that fill you up for the least money, lighter orders under 400 calories and the full menu with prices you can filter.
Aly's picks at McDonald's
Chosen for value and nutrition, using the prices and published nutrition on this page.
$5 Meal Deal$5.00
Four items for $5. On a budget, nothing else on the menu comes close.
Cheeseburger$2.49
The most food per dollar among the regular menu items, about 300 calories for $2.49.
Big Mac Meal$10.49
If you want the classic, the meal saves about $2.48 over ordering everything separately.
Ranch Snack Wrap$3.89
A lighter pick at about 320 calories for $3.89.
Aly
Order by budget
Around $10
A full meal
- Big Mac Meal$10.49
$10.49. Bought separately with medium fries and a medium soft drink, it costs $12.97, so the meal saves about $2.48.
- McCrispy Meal$9.99
$9.99, about $2.08 less than the sandwich, medium fries and a medium drink on their own.
About $26
Feed a family of four
- McNuggets, 40 piece$17.19
- French Fries, large$4.49
- French Fries, large$4.49
Total$26.17
40 McNuggets to share, ten per person, plus two large fries. Sauces are free with nuggets.
Totals are before tax and tip.
Most food for your money
Calories you get for every dollar on the main items, a simple way to see which orders fill you up for the least money. We could not verify McDonald's's protein figures, so this guide ranks by calories instead. Breakfast items are left out of this list.
Lighter orders
Main items under 400 calories.
- McNuggets, 4 piece170 cal
- Hamburger250 cal
- McNuggets, 6 piece250 cal
- Cheeseburger300 cal
- Ranch Snack Wrap320 cal
Make it at home
Our recipes for the McDonald's favorites people ask about most.
Full menu with prices and nutrition
Hours
- Breakfast usually runs from 5 to 10:30 AM on weekdays and until 11 AM on weekends.
- The full menu starts when breakfast ends.
- Many drive-thrus stay open until midnight or later, and some restaurants are open 24 hours.
- Hours vary by location, so check your local restaurant before you go.
Questions people ask
What is the cheapest thing at McDonald's?
Apple Slices at about $1.39. The cheapest hot item is the Hamburger at about $2.39.
What comes in the McDonald's $5 Meal Deal?
A McDouble or McChicken, a 4 piece McNuggets, small fries and a small drink. Availability and price can vary by restaurant.
Is a McDonald's meal cheaper than ordering separately?
Yes. A Big Mac Meal is about $2.48 cheaper than buying the Big Mac, medium fries and a medium drink on their own.
Does McDonald's serve breakfast all day?
No. Most restaurants serve breakfast until 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11 AM on weekends.
What is a lighter option at McDonald's?
A Hamburger (about 250 calories) or a Ranch Snack Wrap (about 320 calories), with Apple Slices instead of fries.
Calories are approximate, compiled in November 2026 from published nutrition information. Use McDonald's nutrition calculator for exact figures, especially if you customize your order. Prices were checked in November 2026 and differ between restaurants. Aly's Menu and Recipes is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by McDonald's. Restaurant names are trademarks of their owners.